SOUTH ASIAN SAGA

There had been an unseen conflict between India and china over the dominance on south Asian region. The relations shared between India and its neighbors have been pleasant since ages, until now. The growing distance between India and its well trusted neighbors has been a reason behind India’s constant worry. The steps taken out of desperation to keep its allies together are clearly visible. Be it the recent surveillance aircraft given to Maldives or the line of credit given to other countries to keep them away from china’s influence. Modi government had this foreign policy of ‘neighbor first’, which did wonders to its relations with other neighboring countries, at first. The swearing-in ceremony of Modi, where the leaders of SAARC (South Asian association of regional association) were invited was marked as a landmark for new budding relations with other south Asian countries.  But who knew that the end would be not as great as its start.

Pakistan has always been a sour spot for India, when it comes to maintaining diplomatic relations. I mean since ages India has been trying to build healthy ties with Pakistan but it has always been in vain. And maybe due to this apparent reason China has been its BFF, for god knows how long. Pakistan and China’s intimate relations have always been the talk of the town in India. But the flourishing association of China with other nations such as Nepal, Bangladesh etc has been keeping India on its toes, to put more efforts to sustain their own relations. Thriving China’s investment in every neighboring country is definitely bothering India. China is investing three times more than India in Nepal. Nepal has been giving India a cold shoulder since it’s elections in 2013, accusing India of manipulating its elections and exploiting its natural resources. Not just Nepal, Bhutan, a land locked nation between China and India is biting off its nail, worried about its existence. Bhutan has been an all weather & trusted friend of India since its existence. But after Doklam stand off its relations with India are still uneven. What India expected after coming in total favor of Bhutan was a warn gesture not some diplomatic talk. Since then the relations have shrunk and China is glad to fill the vacuum. Though China is yet to grow its fangs in Bhutan.

But unlike Bhutan, China has already grown its control over Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

At first billions of dollars of loan was given to Sri Lanka over and over again to win their trust. As a result Sri Lanka was unviable to pay back the mammoth amount of loan to China. So in return it sold its Hambantota Port to China on 99 year lease and now China has its influence over Indian Ocean too. As a measure to maintain its control over Indian Ocean, India was compelled to buy the Mattala Rajapaksa International airport in Hambantota (built by China and AKA World’s emptiest International airport) to keep a keen eye on China’s movement.

But in case of Bangladesh, India still has time before China fully empowers Bangladesh economically. The bone of contentions between India and Bangladesh exist since decades. The unresolved water dispute(Teesta River), Illegal Immigration and growing trade deficit of Bangladesh due to high tariff rates of India has been some key points towards diluting relations. In Nov 2011, India considered the request of Bangladesh of lowering its tariff rates; it gave free access to entire products except Tobacco and Liquor, which constitutes 30% of total export of Bangladesh.  Bangladesh wasn’t as ecstatic about the decision and as a remedy, it is playing China card to balance India. Using China’s growing investment as a sign for India to treat them soundly.

The geopolitics of South Asia is at its peak. India needs to revise its foreign policies to keep china’s influence in check and to keep itself safe from being isolated from its own region.